MEASLES vaccine, known as the MMR vaccine, is the best form of protection against the virus. The jab is long-lasting and routinely given to babies and pre-schoolers, but do adults need to get the vaccine, particularly with the current outbreak in Europe?

The illness can lead to serious complications, such as diarrhoea and vomiting and an eye infection. In rare circumstances heart and nervous system problems can occur, so it’s important to get protected.

The best form of protection is the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is routinely given to babies and young children.

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Measles can lead to serious complications, such as diarrhoea and vomiting and an eye infection

Adults born in the UK before 1970 are likely to have had measles, mumps and rubella as a child or to have had single measles or rubella vaccines which were used before MMR was introduced in 1988, according to Public Health England.

Because the vaccine is long-lasting, adults don’t require a top-up jab.

Those unsure if they’ve had the infection or the vaccines can ask their GP to vaccinate them.

Even if you’ve had the vaccine before, having an extra dose will do no harm. Non-immune adults can be given the MMR vaccine on the NHS.

When is the MMR vaccine first administered?

The vaccine is given as a single injection to babies as part of their routine vaccination schedule. This usually happens within a month of their first birthday.

Measles vaccine: Do adults need to get it if they had it as a child? (Image: GETTY)

A second injection then follows before they start school, around the age of three years and four months.

During a measles outbreak or if a baby has been exposed to the measles virus they can be given the vaccine from six months of age.

If a child up to the age of 18 missed receiving the vaccines at these ages they can have a catch-up MMR vaccination on the NHS.

Measles usually clears around seven to 10 days, but the initial symptoms of the virus develop around 10 days after you’re infected.

According to the NHS, these can include: cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing and a cough, sore, red eyes that may be sensitive to light, a high temperature (fever), which may reach around 40C, and small greyish-white spots on the inside of the cheeks.

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Measles vaccine: Babies and pre-schoolers are routinely given the jab (Image: GETTY)

Measles vaccine can protect against symptoms such as the rash (Image: GETTY)

Signs and symptoms of the measles

Tue, April 4, 2017

Measles - a contagious virus with the potential to cause serious illness and even death - is spreading around Europe and experts from the World Health Organisation said people who haven’t had the vaccine are at risk.

A few days later, a red-brown blotchy rash will appear. This usually starts on the head or upper neck before spreading outwards to the res of the body.

The health body advises: “You should contact your GP as soon as possible if you suspect that you or your child may have measles.

“It’s best to phone before your visit as your GP surgery may need to make arrangements to reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others.

“You should also see your GP if you have been in close contact with someone who has measles and haven’t been fill vaccinated with two doses of the MMR vaccine, or had the infection before. You should do this even if you don’t have any symptoms.”

TV doctor, Dr Chris Steele urged parents to get children vaccinated before trips to Europe earlier this year.